Los Angeles to Celebrate Octavia Butler with a Year of Events

by Rachael Edwards

Octavia E. Butler is one of the greatest gifts to the world. She is a pioneer for Black women in Science Fiction in a world dominated by white men. In her writings, Octavia offers insight on the world around us glimpses of the future within her texts.

Clockshop, a Los Angeles-based arts non- profit organization is launching an event called, Radio Imagination. Radio Imagination will explore Butler's work and writings through various art forms and new work.

Eight artists and four writers have been commissioned to dig into the perspective of Butler and birth new creation. Writers include, Tisa Bryant, Lynell George, Robin Coste Lewis, and Fred Moten in which they will premiere their written work at a public reading event. Laylah Ali, Courtesy the Artists (Malik Gaines and Alexandro Segade), Mendi + Keith Obadike, Connie Samaras, and Cauleen Smith are among the artists that will present their artwork at an exhibition at Armory Center for the Arts between October 1, 2016–January 7, 2017. There will be other presentations of Butler’s work through sound, film, and performance.

Radio Imagination, will also explore Butler’s archives that include short stories that she wrote when she was only twelve years old.

This project in honor of Octavia E. Butler is overdue. Butler’s perspective and texts will be explored, discussed in panels, and recognized in other artistic forms.

The event launches on February 27 and is on going through January 2017. Get the full schedule of dates here.

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